Coilf-controlled liquid-vending- machine



Aug. 23, 1 927. J. ZSOLDOS COIN CONTROLLED LIQUID VENDING MACHINE l Filed'Aug. 25, 1920 4 Sheng-sheet 1 www@ fa Q41 r Y 63 4,4.

ATTORNEYS l 1,639,679 Aug. 23, 1927. J zsm-DOS COIN CONTROLLED LIQUID VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug; 25, 1920 4 sheets-sheet?.

.er 47 46 M.

ma/vers Aug. 23, 1927.

v v1,639,679 J. ZSOLDKOS COIN CONTROLLED LIQUID VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /IVI/ENTUR ATTORNEYS J. ZSOLDOS COIN CONTROLLED LIQUID VENDINGr MACHINE Aufg. 23, 1927. l 1,639,679

Filed Aug. 254, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 BYl ATTO EY Patented Aug. 23, i927.

unirte srArEs 1,639,679 PATENT perrier.

JULUS ZSOLDOS, OF BROOKLYN, NEVI YORK, ASSIGNOR '10 UTOMAT EQUIPIVKINT i CORPORATION, A GORPORLTION OF DELAWARE.

COIN-CONTROLLED LIQUD-VENDING MACHINE.

Application filed August 25, 1929. Serial No. 405,920.

',lhis invention relates to liquid vending machines, and is, more particularly, directed to a machine wherein the Vending of the liquid is controlled or made dependent upon the introduction ot a coin into the machine, lvlachines ior vending liquids, depending upon the insertion of a coin, have heen heretofore suggested, but in such machines, it has heen the practice to incorporate in the construction a main liquid reservoir, which is adapted, during periods of nonuse, to till a measuring receptacle, which was adapted io he tilted or otherwise emptied upon the positioning of a coin in the machine and usually through the manual operationof a handle or knob incorporated in the construction. I

` The objectot the present invention is to providea liquid vending machine, wherein the employment of a measuring receptacle is i'engflered unnecessary and, accordingly, the period of time required for the `:lilling of such measuring receptacle is eliminated in the present machine. Accordingly, consecutive operations oi' the machine may taire place in 'rapid succession and immediately :er one another Without requiring a pros-:poctive purchaser to waita suilicient period to allo\.' oi the reiilling of the measuring ren ccptacle.

'lhe elin'iination et the measuring` receptacle is acconlplished in the present invention through the dispensing oi liquid through a time controlled valve ot novel and eilieieut construction and preferably entirely electrically controlled, so thatv the amount ot liquid dispensed is governed entirely hy the tl i time which elapses between the opening` and closing ot the dispensing valve. ifii'iotherfeature oi the invention is the incorporation in a liquid vending machine oiA novel mechanism adapted to automat-ically coiiipei'isate for the difference in hydrostatic pressure in the main reservoir or tank, so that the'amount of liquid adapted lo he dispensed may at all times be constant through] any predetermined period irrespective et the height of column oit liquid in the r 'ervoir or tank.` By the use ot such mechanism, the `flow olf liquid is so controlled that Jdie aniount dispensed when the tank is full will he exactly the sameias the amount dispensed when the tank is practically empty. preferably associate With the level coinpensating means, auxiliary mechanism for rendering the flow of liquid steady, for the purpose of ohviating pulsations in the flow, and this means is of such simple, highly ett cient nature as to, at all times, effect a smooth, even and uniform lovv' of liquid through the discharge outletot the machine. In carrying out the present invention, other novel and efficient means and mechanism are employed, among which vmay he mentioned improved motor operated cam means for controlling the elapsed time of the dispensing operation, through y'the manipu` lation of switches electrically 'connected with the dispensing valve and this motor operated cam means is, in turn, lcontrolled bv further electrical means adapted yto render the cam controlled means operative or inoperative depending upon the introduction ot a coin into the machine.

Features of theinvention, other than those adverted to Will be apparent from the hereinaiter detailed description and claims.

when read in ,conjunctionk With the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one practical embodiment ot the invention, hut

the construction therein shown is to loe un-` derstood as illustrative, only, and not as de- ;hnmg the limits of the invention.

Figurev l is a diagrammatic vieu' of the kapparatus ot' this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2?-2 oi Figure l. y

Figure 3 Vis a front elevationl of the motor control and motor controlledmechanism shown in Figure l.

Figure 4 is a plan View of the mechanism shovvn in yFigure 3.

Figur 5 `is a sectional view illustrating the liquid controlling means.`

Figure 6 isa perspective detail oi the means for precluding the insertion ot' a coin into the'niachine until the machine iinishes previous operation. Figure 7 is a` detaill perspective oit cam mechanism employed; and,

Figure '8 is a detail fragmental vievv' of detent mechanism which is 'preferably used.

The mechanism et the present invention is, in practice, housed Within a suitable casing, but, in the interest or' clearness, the casing and other unimportant details'have heen omitted and the showing in the drawings has been restricted purely to the showing of the essential features of the invention.

The liquid to be dispensed is contained within a suitable reservoir 10, which is in constant communication through a pipe 11,

with a supplemental. reservoir 12, and the liquid in the reservoir 10 flows unobstructedly into the supplemental reservoir 12, and rises to the same level as Vin the main reservoir.

The supplemental reservoir 12 has an outlet 13, which communicates with a pipe 14, leading to a valve chamberl, and this latir chamber has communication'through a port 16, with a draw off or discharge pipe 17 leading to the exterior of the ca'sing'of the machine, and b eneath the open outer end of which a cup, tumbler or other container be held to receive the liquid dispensed from the machine.

The flow of liquid through the valve port 16y is controlled by a valve 18, the stem of which extends upwardly and is secured to the core of a-solenoid 19. A spring 20 is coiled around the valvestem and serves to normally elevate the core of the solenoid ami. seat the valve 18 to preclude'the outflow of the liquid. y

Associated withthe solenoid core 19 is a solenoid 21, which is connected by a Wire 22 to a suitable source of electrical energy 23, and leads back to said source by way of a wirr-i724, passing through a switch 25, as clearly shown in Figure 1.y When the switch 25 is closed, the circuit .is completed at this point, the solenoid 21 energized and its core 19. depressed against the tension of the spring 20, for the purpose of unseating the valve 18 and allowing. liquid to How from the outletpipe 17. In the form of the invention shown, the switch 25 embodies two contacts 26 and 27, the former of which is fixed and the latter of which is movable. The contact 27 is mounted on a leaf spring 28the tension of which normally carries the contact 27 away from the contact 26, and breaks the circuit through the wire 24 at this point. The switch 25 may be closed, however, by forcingl the contact- 27 against the contact 26 and this is accomplished, as illustrated, bynmeansof the cam arrangement shown best in Figure 7, which cam arrangement is adapted to cooperate with a nose 29 mounted on the leafk spring 28.

The cam arrangement shown in detail in Figure 7 is shown in connection with other details, in section, in Figure 2, and in'plan View of Figure 4. It embodies a cam plate 30 and a cam ring 31. The cam plate 31') is provided around its outer periphery and on its forward face with a channel and in this channel is seated the cam ring 31. The cam plate and cam ring 30 and 31, each are provided on their outer circumference with raised portions 30 and 31, which form cam tracks preferably swung on substantially the same radius, whereby when the two parts are assembled as shown in Figure 7, the cam track 31 forms a continuation of the cam track 30. 'The cam ring` 31 is, however, mounted for circumferential adjustment on the plate 30, so that through said circuin'erential-adjustment, the aggregate length of the cam tracks 3Q and 3i. may7 be regulated and ustedv as desired and thereafter locked against further relative movement by means of screws after the manner shown in Figures 2 and 7. The cams 36 and 31 are mounted for cooperation with the nose 29 of the switch mechanism 25, and when the cams are revolved at a constant speed, while .in engagement with the nose of the switch, the adjustment between the cam plate 30 and the cam ring 31 will, manifestly, control the time during which the switch 25 is closed and'will consequently govern the period dur ing which the valve 18 is maintained open through the electrical connections specified.

The cam mechanism shown in FigureI 7 is mounted for operation on a stub shaft 33, which is connected through a suita le transmission mechanism 34 to a drive shaft 35, on which is fixed a worm wheel 36 (see Fig. 4). W'ith the worm wheel 36 cooperates a worm 37 mounted on an armature shaft 38 of a motor 40. The cam plate 36 is frictionally d on the stub shaft 33, as is also a detent L.isk 41, through the employment of a frictional clutch best shown in Figure 2. This clutch embodies a disk 42 secured to the shaft 33. The detent disk 41, which is loose on the shaft, rests against the disk 42, and a second disk 43 is positioned between the disks 41 and the plate 30. Against the opposite side of the plate 30 rests a felt or fibre disk 44 and against this disk rests a metallic disk 45. The free end of the stub shaft 33 is provided with a nut or screw 46 adapted to retainv a washer 47, and a spring 48 is coiled about the shaft between the disk 45 and the washer 47. These parts constitute, in effect, a friction diskI clutch which permits of the frictional drive of the detent disk 41 and the cam plate 30 in an eflicient although not a positive manner.

Associated with the detent disk 41 is a detentor latchr 49' which is maintained in engagement with the disk 48 by means of a leaf spring 50. This leaf spring 50 presses against a bar of insulation 51, which is secured to the latch at 52. The nose of the latch is adapted, when the disk 41 is in properposition, to enter a notch 53 in the periphery of the detent disk 41, which notch is best shown in Figure 8. Within the notch is pivoted a stop plate 54 ou the pivot and this stop plate is normally forced into the dotted line position of Figure 8 by means of a spring 56 to maintain the limiting stop 57 and at the same time. start the motor40 to 215 i upper portion of Figure 1, embodies two conrotatethe cam'surfaces 30 and 31 into en'- gagement with the nose of the spring mech anism` 25. This is accomplished in the manner next to be described.

The latch or detent 49 constitutes the armatureof an electromagnet 58, included in a circuit 66, which also includesa coincontrolled switch 67, and when this switch 67 is closed and the magnet 58 energized, the latch 49 is attracted with the result that its end is withdrawn from the notch 53 of the detent disk while thebar of insulation 51, which it carries,`closes the switch 60. The switch 60 embodies'two contacts 6l and 62 which are included :in a circuit 59, which alsoincludes the motor 4() and the switch 60, as shown in Figure 1. One'contactl of the switch 60 is mounted on the leaf spring 50, while the other contact 62 is mounted on a second leaf spring 63, supported ona bracket 64. lThe gap between the contacts 61 and-62 may be regulated by a bolt 65, as shown in Figure 3. The coin controlled switch 67 shown at the tac-ts 68 and 69, the former of which is relatively stationary and the latter of which is carried on one arm ofa balance 70 pivoted at 7i,` The balance'70 is provided at one endwith a coin receiving member 72 and has a counterbalancing weight 73 at its other end. it coin X inserte/din the machine is adapted to traverse a coin chute 74, `and fall upon the tray 72. 'Theweight of the coin is sufcient to normally tilt the balance, but said balance is normally maintained `in horizontal position by a. catch `7 5 carried by the stein 76 of apuslrbutton 77.* The catch 75`holds the balance against tilting until the push button 77 is pressed, whereupon the balance tilts,v completes the circuit 66 atfthe switch (i7 and `thereafter the coin rolls off of the tray into a suitable receptacle, whereupon the balance reassumes it horizontal position and becomes rclocked by the catch 75. The operation of the machine as thus Vfar defrribed ma be brieiiy set forth as follows.

A coin deposited in the machine falls through the chute 74 on to the tray 72.` The operator places a cup or tumbler under the liquidL outlet spout v17 of the machineand presses the button 77. This releases the balanceand brings the contact 69 into engagement with the Contact 68, thereby momentarily completing the circuit 66. Upon the completionof this circuit, the magnet 58 is energized, retracts the detent or latch 49 from' the notch 53 of the detent disk and simultaneously closes the switch 60. The

motor'is now energized, and this function is manifested through the rotation of the stub shaft` 33, whereby the detent disk 41 and cam plate 3() are rotated. i

In the meantime, theV witl'idrawal of the detent 49 from the notch 53 has allowed the stop plate 54 to drop down tothe dotted line position of Figure 8, whereby thel re entry of the nose of the detent 49 into the notch 53 is precluded following the momentary energizing of the magnet through the tilting of the coin balance. In other words,

vthe stop plate 54 has locked the detent in a position to close theswitch 60 and permit of rotation of the friction disks of which the cams 30 and 31 form a part.

It will of course be apparent that when the coin leaves the tray, the balance returns to normal position and separates' the con` tacts 68 and 69, vso that the magnet 58 is deenergized, but inasmuch as the latch 49 is heldl retracted by the disk 42 and the stop plate 54, the motor circuit will remain en'- ergized until the switch 6() is permitted to subsequently lopen when the ends lof the detent enter the notch 53 at the conclusion of the dispensing operation.V

Through the `operation of the motor, the cams 30 and 31 are rotated, while the nose 29 of the switch k25 follows the surface of said cams. At the very .start of the operation, the switch 25 `is open, but :is soon as the cams commence to rotate, the nose engages with the raised cam track30 and the switch 25 is closed and remains closed through the subsequent rotation of the camsl until the cam track 31 has been traversed.

The closing of the switch .25 euergizcs the solenoid 21, and depresses its core i9 to open the valve 18 and allow liquid to iiow through the outlet pipe 17.. The liquid continues to flow aslong as the switch 25 is closed, but as,` soon as it opened, the solenoid 21 is deenergized and the spring 20 seats the valve 18, shutting oif the flow of liquid. The cams continue to revolve until the notch 53 of the detent disk becomes juxtaposed with the detent 49, whereuponthe nose of the detent enters thenotch and allows the switcht() to open, thereby deenergizing the motor and suddenly stopping the friction clutch from further rotation. The detent brings the vcam `disks 30,v ring 31 and detent disk 4l to It will be noted from Figure 1 that a inagnet 78, is included in a. shunt wire 794 in the motor circuit 59 and the function of this magnet will appear in Figure 6. Itsv armature is in the formof a linger pivoted at 81 and adapted to cooperate with an*` aperture 82 in the coin race 741. At such times as a coin Ais in the machine andthe motor operating thc magnet 78 attracts its` varmature and drawsaits 'tree end into the aperture 82 into such position as to preclude. the passage ot a subsequent coin into the machine. By this means, the insertion of morel than one coin by a subsequentpurchaser before. a previous purchaser has been properly served is precluded. The linger 8() may, in practice, be normally retracted by a spring or may gravitate into. a position to allow oi' the entry of a coin into the machine. n

In a. machine, wherein i the amount of liquid dispenfed is governed by theelapse of time of flow, I have found that in order that the amounts` of liquid dispensed may be uniform at all times, it is necessary to incorporate in the construction, means adapted to compensate for the varying hydrostatic pressure due to varying amounts of liquid contained in the reservoir. VVhenthe reservoir is full, the hydrostatic pressurel therein is considerably greater than when the reservoir is almost empty, so that liquid will fiow faster and under greater pressure in the first instance than in the latter instance, with the result that'` more liquid may be` dispensed from a full reservoir within a given period than could be dispensed from an almost empty reservoir within the same time. There is, accordingly, incorporated vin the machine of this invention means forvautomatically compensating for the varying hydrostaticy pressure and this means is best shown in Figure 5 ot' the drawings.

Within the supplemental reservoir 12 is positioned a float. 83 through which passes a rod 84. The lower end of the rod 84 has fixed thereto a conical regulating` valve 85, which works in the cylindrical' liquid outlet 13, while the upper end ot thel rod is attached to a spring 86, thefree end of which is secured to an adjusting screw 87. The spring 86 may be adjusted to compensate for the weight of the float 83l and in this manner render the float more buoyantand` sensitive. lVhen the liquid level in the reservoir is high, the conical regulating valve raised, so as to render the area of the outlet 13 more or less constricted. The head of water in the reservoir is sulficient to force the proper quantity of liquid through this constricted passage, but as the liquid level becomes lowered, the press-ure becomes correspondingly less and the float 88 lowers the regulating valve ,85 to a corresponding distance to proportionally enlarge the outlet. In this manner, the ow of inname liquid from the reservoir may be maintained constant and unvarying. y

When liquid flows past a valve such. as the valve 85 there is a tendency of the valve to bob or chatter, but this. is overcome in the present. invention by mounting in the side of the reservoir a magnet 88 adapted to cooperate witlian armature 89 mounted on the rod 84. yThis magnet is shunted into.I the circuit including the solenoid 2,1 by wires 90,` soY thaty when the solenoid is energized and the valve 18 opened, the magnet. 90 is simultaneously energized and the regulating valve steadiedthrough the frictionalf engage.g ment between the core ofthe magnet 88 and its` armature 89..

The hereinbefore described machine is remarkably simple in construction for the iiunetions` it performs, the constituent parts operate in la simple and etlicient manner, and all cooperate with. one .another in the vendingA of fixed amounts` of liquid in an expeditious and economical manner. In practice, the mechanism ishousedwithina neat and compact casing,v which may be conveniently constituted toi house.` the main and supplemental receptacles and the coin mechanism within the. upper part. thereof, and the motor, cams and cooperatingmecha-nism in the lower portionk thereon This arrangement, o course, may be varied, but isr highly practical since it brings the discharge spout at a convenient height from the floor.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as, new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is.: y i

1. A liquid vending machine embodying a reservoir, provided with an outlet, and means controlled by the liquidlevel in the reservoir for automatically regulating the area of the outlet to render the flow of liquidthrough said outlet uniform irrespective of thel diiferences in. hydrostaticpressure due to the receding liquid level in the reservoir as the samel recedes when the liquid is drawn oi, and; means for stabilizing the operation of the liquid flowk controlling mea-ns.

2. A fliquid'vending machine embodying a reservoir, provided with an outlet, and float controlled means associated with said outlet fory automatically' changing the area of said outlet to compensate for the differ ence in hydrostatic pressure as the liquid levelrreeedesA when. the liquid is drawn oft for the purpose of rendering the flow of said liquid from the outlet uniform, and elec trical means for stabilizing the operation of the float controlled means.

3., A liquidv vending machine embodying a reservoir, provided with an outlet, a regulating valve associated with said outlet, and means lcontrolled by the liquid level in the reservoir for automatically regulating the size of the outlet through the manipulation of the regulating valve, whereby the flow of the liquid through the outlet is rendered constant irrespective of the difference in hydrostatic pressure due to the receding level of the liquid in the reservoir, as such liquid is drawn ofi', and electrical means cooperating with the regulating valve for steadying the operations of the same.

4f. A liquid vending machine embodying a reservoir provided with an outlet, a regulating valve associated with said outlet, a. float cooperating with said valve and adapted to automatically regulate the same to effect a. uniform flow of liquid through the outlet irrespective of the differences in hydrostatic pressure due to the receding of the level when the liquid is drawn off through the outlet, and electrical means for stabilizing the operation of the float and valve.

5. A liquid vending` machine embodying a reservoir, provided with an outlet, a regulating valve associated with said outlet, a float cooperating with the regulating valve and controlled by the liquid level in the reservoir to automatically effect a uniform flow of liquid through the outlet irrespective of the differences in hydrostatic pressure due to the drawing ofi of liquid through the outlet, and means associated with the float for rendering the same more sensitive to changes in liquid level within the reservoir.

6. A liquid vending machine embodyinga reservoir, provided with an outlet, a regulating valve associated with said outlet, a float cooperating with the regulating valve and controlled by the liquid level in the reservoir to automatically effect a uniform flow of liquid through the outlet irrespective of the differences in hydrostatic pressure due to the drawing ott' of liquid through the out-let, and means associated with the float for rendering the same more sensitive to changes in liquid level within the reservoir, in combination with electrical means for stabilizing the operations of the regulating valve.

7. A liquid vending machine embodying a reservoir, provided with a liquid outlet, means associatedwith said outlet for automatically effecting the uniform flow of liquid through the outlet irrespective of the hydrostatic pressure within the reservoirn a valve adapted to permit or preclude the flow of liquid through the outlet and electricallyT operated devices for simultaneously unseating the valve and steadying the operation of the means which renders the ilow of liquid uniform. Y

8. A liquid vending machine embodying a reservoir, provided with a liquid outlet, means associated with said outlet for automatically effecting the uniform flow of liquid through the outlet irrespective of the hydrostatic pressure within the reservoir.v an electrically operated valve adapted to permit or preclude the flow of liquid through the outlet, and electrically operated means for stabilizing the operations of the flow controlling means, when the valve is unseated. Y

9. A liquid vending machine embodying a reservoir provided with an outlet an electrically operated valve associated with said outlet, means7 controlled by a prospective purchaser, for holding the electrically operated valve open for a predetermined period to permit of the dispensing` of liquid during` such period. and means for rendering the flow of liquid through the outlet uniform7 irrespective of the amount. of liquid in the reservoir.

l0. A liquid vending machine embodying` a liquid reservoir provided with an outlet`v a normally seated valve for normally precluding the flow oi liquid from said reservoir electromagnetic means for unseating said valve, an electric circuit embodying` a switch for energizing the electromagnetic means to unseatthe valve and permit the kflow of liquid and means. controlled by an intended purchaser. for effecting the closine` of said switch and the maintaininea of said switch closed` for predetermined periods., during which. the liquid is dispensed.

l1. A liquid vending machine embodyingP a liquid reservoir provided. with an outlet` a normally seated valve for normally precluding the flow. of liquid from said reservoir. electromagnetic means for unseatinor said valve, an electric circuit embodying` a switch for energizing the electromagnetic means to unseat the valve and permit the flow of liquid and means` controlled hv an intended purchaser. for effecting the closinnA of said switch and the maintaining of said switch closed for predetermined periods duringr which the liquid is dispensed. in combination with means for standardizing the amount or quantity of liquid dispensed from the reservoir duringa predetermined period.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JULUS ZSOLDOS. 

